Queensland motorists who run red lights, drive too close to the vehicle in front or fail to give way to emergency vehicles will face heftier penalties.

Tougher penalties for Qld motorists

Queensland motorists who run red lights, drive too close to the vehicle in front or fail to give way to emergency vehicles will face heftier penalties from Thursday.

The new penalties, announced by Premier Peter Beattie last month, target driver inattention and distraction as well as aggressive driving.

From Thursday, the penalty for running a red light will jump from $135 to $225 plus three demerit points, while drivers who do not give right of way to an emergency vehicle face a $175 fine and the loss of three demerit points.

Those who drive with an in-board TV or DVD operating within view of the driver will face a $100 fine and three demerit points, while the penalty for following a vehicle too closely will jump from $30 to $175.

The penalties were boosted in response to the state's growing road toll.

Already this year, 54 people have died on Queensland's roads, up from 49 at the same time last year.